Haemostatic disorders in patients with breast cancer at Kenyatta national hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Haemostatic disorders (thrombosis and haemorrhage) are increasingly being investigated and assessed as factors that influence outcome of treatment of solid tumors including breast cancer. There is little data available on prevalence and influence of these disorders in patients with breast cancer locally. Objective To determine and describe haemostatic disorders in patients with breast cancer at Kenyatta National hospital (KNH), Nairobi. Design and Setting A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at KNH oncology unit and the University of Nairobi (UON) haematology laboratory. Methods One hundred and three (103) eligible patients were studied. Data was obtained by direct interviews, clinical examination and from patient files. Full haemogram (FHG), peripheral blood film (PBF), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, thrombin time (TT) and d-dimers were assayed at the UON haematology laboratory. Data handling Data collected and that generated from the laboratory tests was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 15 software for analysis and presented as proportions and percentages in form of tables and charts. Correlations between variables were determined where appropriate. Results A total of 103 patients were recruited into the study 93.2% of whom were female and the majority in the 36-45 year age group (31.1%). Ninety three percent (93%) had invasive ductal carcinoma and 6.8% with lobular carcinoma. One patient had lower limb deep venous thrombosis and none had clinical features of haemorrhage (petechiae, purpura, and easy xii bruisability …